Before hydro excavation in NZ, workers used to dig manually to remove dirt or create a hole for construction utilities. For millennia, this was done by hand, using only shovels and picks to loosen and remove rocks. The old method is dangerous and can be prone to accidents.
In today’s age, numerous innovations have revolutionised the construction and utilities industry. With the boom of modernist and experimental structures, new equipment has been released to accommodate the demand for something new. This is where hydro excavation in NZ comes in. It’s one of the innovations that made an impact on modern construction and utilities. Hydro excavation is sustainable since it uses high-pressure water and air to dig into the soil and remove debris and other materials.
What Is Hydro Excavation?
Hydro excavation is a non-mechanical excavation method that uses intense water pressure to remove soil and other materials. It also helps soften the soil in underground diggings and allows for a deeper excavation without damaging the area around the site. Most construction crews use hydro excavation to uncover existing utility lines and underground pipes with minimal risks of damaging the overall area.
Suppose you are involved in any construction or utilities project that requires digging. In that case, you might want to consider hydro excavation as a safer, faster and more efficient alternative to traditional methods.
How Does Hydro Excavation Work?
Hydro excavation is a technique that uses pressurised water to break up the soil, which is then vacuumed up by a powerful suction system. This way, you can avoid damaging any underground assets such as pipes, cables or wires and ensure the safety of your workers and the environment.
The equipment used in the hydro excavation combines high-pressure water and an air vacuum to cut through soil and soften it for vacuuming. Every hydro excavation equipment needs a vacuum source to suck out the softened soil. There are two types of vacuum sources: a fan system and a positive displacement blower.
A fan system can expend air in large amounts, allowing faster excavations. This vacuum system is much lighter and less expensive than positive displacement blowers. The positive displacement blowers, on the other hand, can move air over longer distances. This allows for deeper excavations. However, it works at a slower rate than the fan system.
Most hydro excavation applications can be done more effectively using the fan system.
A Brief History of Hydro Excavation
Hydro Excavation started all the way between 1848-1855. The idea of mining with pressurised water started during the Gold Rush in California. James W. Marshall was the one who discovered gold in Coloma, CA, in 1848. When the news spread, thousands of people from the US and abroad flocked to the area in hopes of striking it rich. Many excavation methods and systems were tested to uncover a large part of the area. One of these systems is Hydraulic Mining.
The Hydraulic Mining method used a steam pump-pressurised water to break up soil much faster than manual digging. When the Gold Rush faded out in 1855, the hydraulic mining system remained and was improved. Over the years, it has become known as hydro excavation.
Why Choose Hydro Excavation?
Since the onset of hydraulic excavation, many construction companies and excavating contractors have benefited from construction projects. Some benefits of hydro excavation over conventional digging methods include:
It reduces the risk of service strikes, which can cause delays, injuries, fines or lawsuits.
It minimises the disruption to the surrounding area, as it only requires a small hole to access the underground assets.
It’s a sustainable method that preserves the integrity of the soil structure, as it does not compact or disturb the ground.
It lowers the cost of reinstatement, as it does not require extensive backfilling or landscaping.
It enhances the productivity and efficiency of the project, as it can be done faster and more accurately than manual or mechanical digging.
It’s efficient and does not need too much fuel that mechanical digging needs.
Hydro Excavation Applications in the Construction Industry
Hydro excavation in NZ has many applications. These include:
Excavation of tight spaces
The precise aim of pressurised water used in hydro excavation helps in reaching tight spaces in commercial and non-commercial properties. The equipment is also compact and only takes up a little space in a property when excavating. Installing and digging cable wires becomes an easy task with hydro excavation.
Exposing or locating underground utilities
Underground utilities, where wires and cables are often found, can be easily exposed. Locating underground lines is more accessible as well when using hydro excavation equipment.
Debris Removal
Sometimes debris can be stuck in pipes and manholes, and manually digging them out is difficult. Hydro excavation equipment makes it easier to remove debris without causing too much damage to the surrounding area.
Other applications of hydro excavation equipment include:
-
-
-
- Digging trenches or holes for poles, signs or foundations
- Clearing blocked drains or culverts
- Removing contaminated soil or sludge
- Landscaping or gardening
-
-
Hydro excavation is revolutionising the construction and utilities industry in New Zealand by providing a safer, faster and more efficient way of digging. Hydro excavation can save time, money and resources while protecting your underground assets and the environment.
Reliable Traffic Management in NZ: Safetrak Northland!
Safetrak Northland is the leading service provider of traffic management in NZ. Safetrak Northland is also an expert when it comes to hydro excavation in NZ and other traffic management needs.
We are a locally owned company based in Kaitaia. Since its inception in 2018, the company has worked on a variety of projects throughout the Northland region. It has provided traffic management, cable locating, and hydro excavation in NZ for over five years.
Safetrak Northland specialises in traffic management with our team of traffic experts as well as other construction and utility services. Safetrak Northland is a dependable partner in road and infrastructure solutions for various clients.
Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction. We prioritise safety, dependability, and making our customers happy. Contact us today, and we’ll help you with any of your traffic needs!
Contact us +64 080072338725 or admin@safetraknorthland.co.nz!